*Disclaimer: I don't own the series Gilmore Girls or the characters. All I
own is my imagination and the plot.
*A/N: Hey!!! Yeah, I know. It's about time I updated. At least that's how feel. If you don't actually like this story, then I can only imagine what you are thinking right now. Anyway there are a couple of weeks coming up which are packed with tests, so it might take me a little while before updating again. But at least this chapter isn't as short as my others, right ? :-) Okay, wish me luck.
*~*~*:-)*~*~*Bye, smile :-)
Tristan was lying on his bed, his eyelids closed, acting as a shell for the rays of sun, that were trying to crack them. He was half awake, lingering between the realm of dreams and the realm of actuality. He was trying to maintain a firm grasp on the first one, not wanting to wake up, though he knew he should. The lazy pain in the right part of his head, finally forced him to open his eyes and accommodate to the amount of light that was embracing him.
Tristan silently moaned as he sat up straight, escaping the light. He instantly reached for his hair and started to run his hand through it. He quickly looked around his room, familiarizing himself with it. For some reason it always seemed to look different in the morning. Peaceful. Which it normally never was. His life was always full of turbulence, except now, in the tranquility of the morning.
He smiled when he noticed his uniform, which hung neatly ironed over one of his chairs. He threw his covers back and got up. He grabbed his clothes and disappeared in to his bathroom. He turned on the shower, while he was still in his T-shirt and sweats. He was used to doing it like this, turning on the shower first before taking off his clothes. When he was little, he would always turn on the water first, so his parents wouldn't hear him cry. After all his father disgusted crying, especially when the males of the DuGrey family lowered themselves to that.
Tristan started to take off his clothes, cringing because his muscles ached from the disagreeable position he slept in. He took of his shirt and stepped into the shower, making sure that the water fell on his head first before moving on to the rest of his body, soothing his aching muscles.
*~*~*
A couple of minutes later Tristan came down the stairs, the pain he was feeling this morning forgotten. He always did feel better after a warm shower. His hair was still partly wet, but he didn't care. He thought of it as an imperfection that tainted his parents' perfect demeanor and appearance.
He entered the kitchen, the only place where he never felt as an intruder. Unlike the other rooms, the kitchen was a room that wasn't only created to look stunning, it was also practical. It always smelled like food in here. This morning, it was the smell of bacon that surrounded him.
''Morning.''
''Morning cariño,'' Paola said, not looking up from her spot behind the stove. ''Want some bacon ?''
''Do you even have to ask ?''
Paola smiled and put a couple of strips of bacon on a small, fragile plate. She handed it to Tristan, but Tristan just grabbed the strips of bacon instead.
''Thanks,'' he said, as he took a bite of his bacon.
Paola gave him a look, but the small smile that was tugging on the corners of her lips always gave her away.
''I'll see you later Paola.''
''Have a good day,'' she said formally, returning to her role.
Tristan stepped in to the hallway and walked over to the dresser, the only piece of furniture in this particular hallway. Just as he locked his fingers around his keys, footsteps penetrated the silence around him.
''Morning, son,'' came a voice behind him.
''Father,'' Tristan said, as he turned around, clutching the keys even tighter, causing them to slowly press in to his hand.
''Off to school ?''
Tristan nodded as he took another bite of his bacon. He hated this frequent chitchat between them, it was useless.
''Didn't Paola give you a plate ?''
''Yes, but I prefer eating them like this,'' Tristan answered quickly, not wanting his father to put the blame on Paola.
Alexander DuGrey nodded and cleared his throat before continuing.
''You're mom and I are going over to Penny, her sister today and...........''
''I know who she is,'' Tristan interrupted.
''Good, anyhow we will be spending the night there.''
Tristan nodded.
''We also decided to give the personnel a day off, so you'll be home alone. Do you think you can handle that ?''
''I practically spend every week home alone. What do you think ?'' Tristan asked, slowly bringing his eyes up to meet his father's eyes, daring him to say otherwise.
I have to go to school.''
Tristan turned around and started to head for the door, before this could turn in to another argument.
He grabbed his jacket and bag, which were lying in front of the door, and went outside. He finished his bacon and headed for his car. As he threw his bag and jacket on the passengers' seat, a sly smile appeared on his face. Suddenly he couldn't wait to get to school, even if it meant breaking a few laws to get there faster. Besides, he would be wasting his fathers money.
*~*~*
Tristan stuffed his practically empty bag in to his locker and headed towards the cafeteria. He didn't even stop at the entrance, he kept walking straight towards his goal. Towards his friends, which he had visibly abandoned for a couple of days now. Even though he had been sitting with them, he hadn't listened to their mostly meaningless conversations.
He passed a couple of other tables before reaching the 'popular' table and sitting down next to Greg, his closest friend here at Chilton. Partly because Greg knew what he was going through. Things were practically the same at his house, with parents that didn't care if he went to school or not. Tristan's parents, on the other hand, did care, but for the wrong reasons. They wanted him to get the finest education, because that was how it was supposed to be.
''Hey guys,'' Tristan casually said.
''Look who decided to leave his palace so he could come and reclaim his throne,'' Greg playfully said.
''Yeah, things were a little screwed up at home, you know what I mean.''
''Don't we all,'' his other friend, Maikel, said.
Tristan nodded and slightly smiled, though he knew that the only Maikel head with his parents were about his curfew.
''Anyway my parents aren't going to be home until tomorrow and they gave all the personnel a night off, so I was thinking............''
''Party!'' Maikel yelled.
Tristan nodded. ''Exactly. Everyone's invited, so spread the word.''
While the guys sitting at the table started to talk about tonight's event, Greg looked at Tristan with a hint of concern in his chocolate eyes.
''Are you sure you should be doing this ?''
Tristan put his arm around Greg's shoulder. ''Greg, my man, don't worry. It's all about having fun tonight.''
Greg started to say something to Tristan, but Tristan wasn't paying any attention to him anymore. Someone on the other side of the cafeteria had caught his eye. He removed his arm from Greg's shoulder and got up.
''Where are you going ?'' Greg asked.
''Where do you think I'm going ?''
''A girl,'' Greg answered.
''I'm going to spread the word,'' Tristan said.
''To a girl !'' Greg yelled, as Tristan started to head to the other end of the cafeteria. The part of the cafeteria where no popular person would ever be found.
He walked over to the table he just spotted, who happened to be occupied by no one else than Rory Gilmore, who was once again hiding from the crowd behind another one of her books. He sat down across from her, waiting for her to notice him, which didn't take long. As soon as he sat down, she looked up at him, obviously surprised by his action.
''Tristan.''
''Mary,'' he countered.
Rory rolled her eyes and returned her eyes to the page in front of her. ''What do you want ?''
''I want to apologize........''
''Excuse me ?'' Rory interrupted, as her eyes shot up to meet his.
''I want to apologize for my behavior. I knew that you were coming to help me and I shouldn't have been drinking,'' Tristan said.
Rory carefully eyes him, trying to detect a flaw in his seemingly perfect honest apology, but to her own frustration she couldn't find one.
''You're drunk right now, aren't you ?''
Tristan smiled at her question and shook his head. ''I'm not.''
''Could have fooled me,'' Rory said, as she swiftly turned the page of her book.
''I want to make it up to you,'' Tristan said, as he sat back and observed Rory's movements.
''No need, your apology has already been accepted. So you can go play with your friends again,'' she said, without looking up.
Tristan smirked at her last comment, thinking that she probably didn't even realize that she fell into a trap she had just set herself.
''I will, but only if you come play with us too.''
''Tristan,'' Rory warned.
Tristan softly laughed at her serious expression. ''I was talking about a party I'm throwing tonight. I would like you to come.''
''I don't go to parties,'' Rory stated.
She wasn't a part of the 'in crowd', but she could care less. She had read enough about them in books, to know that she wouldn't belong in that world, not even if she tried.
''Look, just give it a try. If the minute you walk in, you're already having a horrible time, then I'll personally drive you home.''
''That's not reassuring,'' Rory said, as she looked up at him once more.
''I wasn't trying to be.''
Rory sighed. ''Fine, but I'm bringing a book.''
Tristan nodded and locked eyes with her, before getting up.
''I'll see you tonight, Ror.''
As he started to head back towards 'his' table, he left Rory wondering why she hadn't put up more of a fight.
*~*~*
Rory was standing in her room, looking at her reflection in the mirror, while wondering about what everyone else would be wearing tonight. Something she never thought she would be worrying about. Maybe looked too conservative or plain in her knee-length sparkly grey skirt, her black off the shoulder top with flared arms and black heels. All those people at the part were rich and they would probably all look really classy. Rory sighed. There was something missing. Maybe she should have put her hair up or maybe she should have worn black pants to match the top instead of a skirt.
''What's wrong sweets ?'' Lorelai asked, as she entered Rory's room.
''Everything. The skirt's too sparkly, the top's too black and.........''
''Let me guess, the heels are too high ?''
''No, they're not strapy enough,'' Rory complained. ''I look like a freak in these clothes.''
''Hey!''
''The clothes are fine mom, it's just........me!''
''Good, for a minute there I was worried,'' Lorelai said.
Rory smiled.
''Don't worry hon, you look beautiful. I would be surprised if you didn't end up finding your husband to be at that party.''
Rory rolled her eyes just as the doorbell rang.
''That must be Jess,'' Rory mumbled, returning her gaze to her reflection.
''I'll get it, so you can make an elegant entrance and blow his mind,'' Lorelai said, as he left Rory's room.
''The only way I'll blow Jess' mind is if I start quoting his favorite books !''
''Something's wrong with that boy!'' Lorelai yelled back.
Rory kept looking at herself, while she heard her mom open the door and greet Jess. Rory took a deep breath, before grabbing her purse and coat and leaving her room.
''Hey Jess,'' she greeted.
''Hey, ready ?''
''Yeah, let's go,'' Rory said, as she put on her coat and followed Jess to the door.
''Now, if you do find your prince charming there, be sure to check if his horse is white. Cause if he has a black horse then he probably isn't a prince,'' Lorelai rambled.
''Bye mom,'' Rory said, as she closed the door behind her.
She and Jess headed to the car in silence, which made Rory only more nervous. She wrapped her coat tighter around herself, while she started to twirl her hair with her other hand.
''Stop fidgeting, you look fine.''
Rory thankfully smiled at Jess, before getting in to his car.
*~*~*
''Are you sure you wanna do this ?'' Jess asked, as he glanced at the colossal DuGrey mansion.
Rory followed his gaze. ''Do you think I wanna do this ?''
''What do you think ?''
''You're just making me more nervous,'' Rory said, as she started to wonder why she even came here in the first place.
''How about I help you make up your mind,'' Jess said.
Rory nodded. Jess got out of the car, walked over to her side and opened her door. He grabbed her arm and pulled her out of the car.
''Jess.......''
He gently pushed her in the direction of the intimidating structure.
''Jess........come with me ?''
Jess shook his head. ''I have more important things to do.''
''Like ?''
''I still have to finish that book you borrowed me.''
''I didn't borrow you any books lately,'' Rory said, glad that she didn't have to concentrate on the party for a second.
''Damn mouth.''
Rory pleadingly looked at Jess, but he didn't make any attempt to go with her, he just smirked.
''Just go in. If you wanna leave just call me, I'll be sitting at Luke's all night, waiting by the phone.''
''Now that's a line I thought I would never hear come out of your mouth,'' Rory said, trying to relax.
''I would have never thought you would go to a party, so we're even.''
Rory nodded and looked at the house again. ''So.........what do I do now ?''
''Well, you've got three options. You can get back in the car with me, stay out here all night or.......and here comes the dangerous risk taking, you can actually go in there and have some fun, ''Jess playfully said.
''The first one sounds very tempting.''
''Rory, you wanted to help Tristan right ?''
Rory nodded.
''Now, I'm not a genius or anything. But in order to help him, you actually have to go in there and talk to him.''
''You're right,'' Rory said.
''How come it always takes us a meaningless argument before you realize that ?''
Rory gave Jess a look, trying to hide her nervousness as best as she could. Jess, however, saw through her facade and gave her a small but encouraging smile, before getting back in to his car.
Rory watched Jess get in his car an drive off, leaving her standing al alone in front of this majestic mansion. With its large and dark windows. Rory could hear the music from where she was standing and the carefree laughter of the people that were already inside. Rory carefully took one step on to the drive way that looked like a dirt road without the stars to light it. While she was heading for the door, she kept her gaze fixed on the door, afraid of what might be hiding behind one of those many trees, that were neatly placed in several rows. She lowered her eyes to her feet, as she walked up the few steps to the door. When she looked up, she saw another too familiar figure standing by the door.
''Paris ?''
The girl's head snapped to the left when she heard Rory's voice.
''Gilmore ? You were invited ?''
''The entire school was invited,'' Rory answered, as she joined Paris.
Paris didn't say anything, as she knocked on the door. Both secretly relieved that they weren't alone. Almost immediately the door opened and they were greeted by some fool that already had a little much to drink.
''Where's the pizza ?''
''Excuse me ?'' Rory asked.
''We ordered pizza about twenty minutes ago,'' the guy explained.
''Thanks for the information,'' Paris said, as she passed the guy.
''You two aren't trying to keep all the pizza for yourselves, are you ?''
Rory shook her head, as she headed over to Paris. They both looked at the crazy pizza guy as he kept asking everyone if they were hiding his pizza somewhere. Finally Paris broke the silence.
''So, punch bowl ?''
''Yep.''
*~*~*
After about twenty minutes, Rory and Paris still hadn't moved from their spot at the punch bowl. The only difference was that they weren't wearing their jackets anymore. Those were lying on one of the chairs behind them.
''You know, it's kinda rude to throw a party and then not show up yourself,'' Paris commented, at the fact that they had been here almost half an hour and they still hadn't seen Tristan.
Normally he was the center of the party. Especially at one he would throw himself. He and his friends would either be standing in a corner laughing or they would be going wild on the dance floor, grabbing every girl they could get their ring covered hands on.
Rory silently sighed. She was tired of scanning the crowds, looking for someone who was acting different than the others, because they had too much to drink or because they just liked to beat people up. Rory felt the heavy weight of the book, that she kept in her purse, and quickly finished her punch. She told Paris that she was going to find a bathroom and made her way through the sea of dancing people towards the stairs.
As she made her way up the stairs, unnoticed, she ran her fingers over the carvings in the banister. Once she reached the top of the stairs, she ended up at the beginning of a long hallway with marble tiles. She let go of the banister and started to walk, in search of a library of some kind. She passed a couple of unoccupied rooms, before she heard the faint sound. She couldn't quite make out what kind of sound it was, but she did know that it was coming from behind one of those closed doors. She took a couple of more steps in the direction of where the sound had come from, just out of curiosity, and immediately it became louder and more clear.
As soon as the moaning reached her ears, she regretted taking those last steps into the hallway. She silently cursed herself for being so curious and took a step back, making sure that her heels wouldn't make any tapping noise on the marble floor. As soon as the moaning started, it stopped, not leaving anything behind but a deafening silence. So deafening that it made Rory wish she never made her way up the stairs in the first place. She glanced at the door, which she suspected of holding the provocative cries prisoner. Apparently she took more time than she was aware of, because suddenly the door opened and she was looking straight in to a pair of eyes she had missed seeing this entire night.
For a second, that seemed to stretch itself into awkward minutes, she found herself speechless, incapable of moving her lips or averting her eyes. Tristan ran his tongue across his bottom lip, before filling the dead air that was swirling around them, grazing Rory's cheeks, causing them to turn a faint pink.
''Mary, didn't anyone every tell you that minding your own business is the safest way to live your life ?''
''Sorry,'' Rory stammered, finally regaining the use of her voice. ''I was just looking for a quiet place to...........''
But she couldn't finish her sentence. She was distracted by a girl, that came stumbling out of the same room as Tristan, buttoning her buttons in a delicate fashion as she did this. She gave Tristan a chaste kiss on the cheek, without even taking the time to glance at him.
''Thanks for the memorable ride,'' she said, as she walked past him and headed down the stairs.
Rory's blush unconsciously started to increase, which didn't go unnoticed by Tristan.
''So, you were looking for a quiet place to..............?'' he asked, as he suggestively raised one of his eyebrows.
''I was...........looking for a place to read,'' Rory said, as she lowered her gaze to Tristan's feet.
''So, you came up here.........to read ?'' Tristan asked, as he took a step towards her.
Rory brought her head up to look at him and nodded, a little embarrassed by what she had just heard and witnessed.
''I'm sorry, I shouldn't have been wandering around in your house. I didn't mean to........I just.........I better go.''
Rory quickly turned around and wanted to head for the stairs, but before she could even move one step, Tristan reached out and grabbed her by her arm. Rory turned around, thinking that he had some other remark to throw her way, but instead he roughly pulled her closer and pushed his lips on to hers.
She instinctively placed her free hand against his chest, letting herself fall in to the kiss for a reckless second. Tristan placed his free hand on her hand, making sure that it would safely remain there, as he started to pull her in the direction of the room he had just evacuated.
Before Rory could stop him, he had pulled her in to the room and closed the door with his foot. Her eyes flew open and she immediately noticed, that he somehow managed to skillfully switch their positions. She was the one facing the door now. And it only made the situation seem more surreal. Tristan was slowly forcing her in the direction of the bed, while Rory kept looking at the door, hopelessly holding on to the fact that she could still see it and dangerously aware of the fact that he was backing her up towards the bed.
''Tristan, what are you doing ?''
Tristan didn't answer immediately, as he captured her lips in another kiss, before making his way down her neck.
''Leading you to a place to sit,'' he answered breathlessly.
Rory gasped when she felt Tristan's tongue against her skin, while he let go of one of her hands, covering it beneath his other one, and lowering his free hand to her left knee.
''Or better yet, lie down,'' he whispered, as he pushed his fingers against the back of her knee, causing her to fall backwards on to the bed.
''Isn't this more comfortable ?'' he asked, pulling his tongue back and carefully scraping her skin with his teeth.
''Get off me !''
Tristan ignored her and placed her hands above her head, keeping them in place with one of his hands. The other, he placed on the thin material of her shirt.
''Don't !'' Rory said, the panic almost unbearable in her voice.
Tristan lowered his hand down to her hip and let it linger there, before slipping it underneath her shirt.
''Tristan, please !?''
At the sound of Rory's plead, his eyes shot up to meet hers. She could see the turmoil in them, as he loosened his grip on her hands.
''Rory ?'' he doubtfully asked.
Suddenly he became painfully aware of what he was doing and he regretfully let go of her and took a couple of steps away from the bed.
''I'm sorry,'' he mumbled, as he took another step back.
''What is wrong with you ?!'' Rory angrily asked, as he sat up straight, causing her top to fall back in to place.
Tristan shook his head. ''I'm sorry. I must have head too much to drink............again.''
It hurt even more now, cause he knew what had caused him to this.
''Why ?'' Rory asked.
''What ?'' Tristan asked, looking at her.
''Why are you drinking so much lately ?''
Tristan shook his head once more. ''You wouldn't understand.''
Rory took a couple of seconds before answering. ''I'm still here, aren't I ?''
Instantly Tristan's gaze softened and he forced himself to look at her again. There she was, subtly asking him to explain everything to her, when not a minute ago he had forced her down on the bed. And yet she was still here.
''I guess, I.......couldn't handle it anymore,'' he said, as he carefully sat down next to her, making sure that there was enough space between them to breath.
''Handle what ?'' Rory softly asked.
Tristan sighed and glanced at her out of the corner of his eye.
''You know my grandfather died........''
''Yes, but..........''
''I wasn't allowed to go to his burial,'' Tristan interrupted.
Rory didn't react immediately and he knew that she was erasing some of the lines in her head, making sure that every dot would be connected properly.
''But........why ?''
This time she had asked him a question, which he couldn't answer properly. Not when he didn't even know the exact reason himself, so he decided to give her the same reason his parents gave him.
''According to my parents, I would have caused a scene.''
''So, that's why you've been acting like this ?''
Tristan nodded. ''That's the cause of my reckless behavior lately, my bad grades, my drinking, my lack of patience.''
''I'm sorry,'' Rory said, not quite knowing what else to say in this kind of situation.
They sat there in each other's presence for a while, not saying anything. Finally Rory got up.
''Where are you going ?''
''I'm going to find a phone,'' Rory answered. ''I........I wanna go home.''
She avoided Tristan's eyes while she said this. Tristan nodded.
''There's one at the end of this hallway.''
Rory nodded and glanced at Tristan once more before leaving the room.
*R*E*V*I*E*W*! Please ? :-) So, what did you think ? Should I write longer chapters more often ? Cause I always think that the longer my chapters get the more horrible they get at the same time. Thanks again for reading! And for the reviews! :-) (And btw my Lit won't be updated this week.....or next week. Tests, sorry.)
*A/N: Hey!!! Yeah, I know. It's about time I updated. At least that's how feel. If you don't actually like this story, then I can only imagine what you are thinking right now. Anyway there are a couple of weeks coming up which are packed with tests, so it might take me a little while before updating again. But at least this chapter isn't as short as my others, right ? :-) Okay, wish me luck.
*~*~*:-)*~*~*Bye, smile :-)
Tristan was lying on his bed, his eyelids closed, acting as a shell for the rays of sun, that were trying to crack them. He was half awake, lingering between the realm of dreams and the realm of actuality. He was trying to maintain a firm grasp on the first one, not wanting to wake up, though he knew he should. The lazy pain in the right part of his head, finally forced him to open his eyes and accommodate to the amount of light that was embracing him.
Tristan silently moaned as he sat up straight, escaping the light. He instantly reached for his hair and started to run his hand through it. He quickly looked around his room, familiarizing himself with it. For some reason it always seemed to look different in the morning. Peaceful. Which it normally never was. His life was always full of turbulence, except now, in the tranquility of the morning.
He smiled when he noticed his uniform, which hung neatly ironed over one of his chairs. He threw his covers back and got up. He grabbed his clothes and disappeared in to his bathroom. He turned on the shower, while he was still in his T-shirt and sweats. He was used to doing it like this, turning on the shower first before taking off his clothes. When he was little, he would always turn on the water first, so his parents wouldn't hear him cry. After all his father disgusted crying, especially when the males of the DuGrey family lowered themselves to that.
Tristan started to take off his clothes, cringing because his muscles ached from the disagreeable position he slept in. He took of his shirt and stepped into the shower, making sure that the water fell on his head first before moving on to the rest of his body, soothing his aching muscles.
*~*~*
A couple of minutes later Tristan came down the stairs, the pain he was feeling this morning forgotten. He always did feel better after a warm shower. His hair was still partly wet, but he didn't care. He thought of it as an imperfection that tainted his parents' perfect demeanor and appearance.
He entered the kitchen, the only place where he never felt as an intruder. Unlike the other rooms, the kitchen was a room that wasn't only created to look stunning, it was also practical. It always smelled like food in here. This morning, it was the smell of bacon that surrounded him.
''Morning.''
''Morning cariño,'' Paola said, not looking up from her spot behind the stove. ''Want some bacon ?''
''Do you even have to ask ?''
Paola smiled and put a couple of strips of bacon on a small, fragile plate. She handed it to Tristan, but Tristan just grabbed the strips of bacon instead.
''Thanks,'' he said, as he took a bite of his bacon.
Paola gave him a look, but the small smile that was tugging on the corners of her lips always gave her away.
''I'll see you later Paola.''
''Have a good day,'' she said formally, returning to her role.
Tristan stepped in to the hallway and walked over to the dresser, the only piece of furniture in this particular hallway. Just as he locked his fingers around his keys, footsteps penetrated the silence around him.
''Morning, son,'' came a voice behind him.
''Father,'' Tristan said, as he turned around, clutching the keys even tighter, causing them to slowly press in to his hand.
''Off to school ?''
Tristan nodded as he took another bite of his bacon. He hated this frequent chitchat between them, it was useless.
''Didn't Paola give you a plate ?''
''Yes, but I prefer eating them like this,'' Tristan answered quickly, not wanting his father to put the blame on Paola.
Alexander DuGrey nodded and cleared his throat before continuing.
''You're mom and I are going over to Penny, her sister today and...........''
''I know who she is,'' Tristan interrupted.
''Good, anyhow we will be spending the night there.''
Tristan nodded.
''We also decided to give the personnel a day off, so you'll be home alone. Do you think you can handle that ?''
''I practically spend every week home alone. What do you think ?'' Tristan asked, slowly bringing his eyes up to meet his father's eyes, daring him to say otherwise.
I have to go to school.''
Tristan turned around and started to head for the door, before this could turn in to another argument.
He grabbed his jacket and bag, which were lying in front of the door, and went outside. He finished his bacon and headed for his car. As he threw his bag and jacket on the passengers' seat, a sly smile appeared on his face. Suddenly he couldn't wait to get to school, even if it meant breaking a few laws to get there faster. Besides, he would be wasting his fathers money.
*~*~*
Tristan stuffed his practically empty bag in to his locker and headed towards the cafeteria. He didn't even stop at the entrance, he kept walking straight towards his goal. Towards his friends, which he had visibly abandoned for a couple of days now. Even though he had been sitting with them, he hadn't listened to their mostly meaningless conversations.
He passed a couple of other tables before reaching the 'popular' table and sitting down next to Greg, his closest friend here at Chilton. Partly because Greg knew what he was going through. Things were practically the same at his house, with parents that didn't care if he went to school or not. Tristan's parents, on the other hand, did care, but for the wrong reasons. They wanted him to get the finest education, because that was how it was supposed to be.
''Hey guys,'' Tristan casually said.
''Look who decided to leave his palace so he could come and reclaim his throne,'' Greg playfully said.
''Yeah, things were a little screwed up at home, you know what I mean.''
''Don't we all,'' his other friend, Maikel, said.
Tristan nodded and slightly smiled, though he knew that the only Maikel head with his parents were about his curfew.
''Anyway my parents aren't going to be home until tomorrow and they gave all the personnel a night off, so I was thinking............''
''Party!'' Maikel yelled.
Tristan nodded. ''Exactly. Everyone's invited, so spread the word.''
While the guys sitting at the table started to talk about tonight's event, Greg looked at Tristan with a hint of concern in his chocolate eyes.
''Are you sure you should be doing this ?''
Tristan put his arm around Greg's shoulder. ''Greg, my man, don't worry. It's all about having fun tonight.''
Greg started to say something to Tristan, but Tristan wasn't paying any attention to him anymore. Someone on the other side of the cafeteria had caught his eye. He removed his arm from Greg's shoulder and got up.
''Where are you going ?'' Greg asked.
''Where do you think I'm going ?''
''A girl,'' Greg answered.
''I'm going to spread the word,'' Tristan said.
''To a girl !'' Greg yelled, as Tristan started to head to the other end of the cafeteria. The part of the cafeteria where no popular person would ever be found.
He walked over to the table he just spotted, who happened to be occupied by no one else than Rory Gilmore, who was once again hiding from the crowd behind another one of her books. He sat down across from her, waiting for her to notice him, which didn't take long. As soon as he sat down, she looked up at him, obviously surprised by his action.
''Tristan.''
''Mary,'' he countered.
Rory rolled her eyes and returned her eyes to the page in front of her. ''What do you want ?''
''I want to apologize........''
''Excuse me ?'' Rory interrupted, as her eyes shot up to meet his.
''I want to apologize for my behavior. I knew that you were coming to help me and I shouldn't have been drinking,'' Tristan said.
Rory carefully eyes him, trying to detect a flaw in his seemingly perfect honest apology, but to her own frustration she couldn't find one.
''You're drunk right now, aren't you ?''
Tristan smiled at her question and shook his head. ''I'm not.''
''Could have fooled me,'' Rory said, as she swiftly turned the page of her book.
''I want to make it up to you,'' Tristan said, as he sat back and observed Rory's movements.
''No need, your apology has already been accepted. So you can go play with your friends again,'' she said, without looking up.
Tristan smirked at her last comment, thinking that she probably didn't even realize that she fell into a trap she had just set herself.
''I will, but only if you come play with us too.''
''Tristan,'' Rory warned.
Tristan softly laughed at her serious expression. ''I was talking about a party I'm throwing tonight. I would like you to come.''
''I don't go to parties,'' Rory stated.
She wasn't a part of the 'in crowd', but she could care less. She had read enough about them in books, to know that she wouldn't belong in that world, not even if she tried.
''Look, just give it a try. If the minute you walk in, you're already having a horrible time, then I'll personally drive you home.''
''That's not reassuring,'' Rory said, as she looked up at him once more.
''I wasn't trying to be.''
Rory sighed. ''Fine, but I'm bringing a book.''
Tristan nodded and locked eyes with her, before getting up.
''I'll see you tonight, Ror.''
As he started to head back towards 'his' table, he left Rory wondering why she hadn't put up more of a fight.
*~*~*
Rory was standing in her room, looking at her reflection in the mirror, while wondering about what everyone else would be wearing tonight. Something she never thought she would be worrying about. Maybe looked too conservative or plain in her knee-length sparkly grey skirt, her black off the shoulder top with flared arms and black heels. All those people at the part were rich and they would probably all look really classy. Rory sighed. There was something missing. Maybe she should have put her hair up or maybe she should have worn black pants to match the top instead of a skirt.
''What's wrong sweets ?'' Lorelai asked, as she entered Rory's room.
''Everything. The skirt's too sparkly, the top's too black and.........''
''Let me guess, the heels are too high ?''
''No, they're not strapy enough,'' Rory complained. ''I look like a freak in these clothes.''
''Hey!''
''The clothes are fine mom, it's just........me!''
''Good, for a minute there I was worried,'' Lorelai said.
Rory smiled.
''Don't worry hon, you look beautiful. I would be surprised if you didn't end up finding your husband to be at that party.''
Rory rolled her eyes just as the doorbell rang.
''That must be Jess,'' Rory mumbled, returning her gaze to her reflection.
''I'll get it, so you can make an elegant entrance and blow his mind,'' Lorelai said, as he left Rory's room.
''The only way I'll blow Jess' mind is if I start quoting his favorite books !''
''Something's wrong with that boy!'' Lorelai yelled back.
Rory kept looking at herself, while she heard her mom open the door and greet Jess. Rory took a deep breath, before grabbing her purse and coat and leaving her room.
''Hey Jess,'' she greeted.
''Hey, ready ?''
''Yeah, let's go,'' Rory said, as she put on her coat and followed Jess to the door.
''Now, if you do find your prince charming there, be sure to check if his horse is white. Cause if he has a black horse then he probably isn't a prince,'' Lorelai rambled.
''Bye mom,'' Rory said, as she closed the door behind her.
She and Jess headed to the car in silence, which made Rory only more nervous. She wrapped her coat tighter around herself, while she started to twirl her hair with her other hand.
''Stop fidgeting, you look fine.''
Rory thankfully smiled at Jess, before getting in to his car.
*~*~*
''Are you sure you wanna do this ?'' Jess asked, as he glanced at the colossal DuGrey mansion.
Rory followed his gaze. ''Do you think I wanna do this ?''
''What do you think ?''
''You're just making me more nervous,'' Rory said, as she started to wonder why she even came here in the first place.
''How about I help you make up your mind,'' Jess said.
Rory nodded. Jess got out of the car, walked over to her side and opened her door. He grabbed her arm and pulled her out of the car.
''Jess.......''
He gently pushed her in the direction of the intimidating structure.
''Jess........come with me ?''
Jess shook his head. ''I have more important things to do.''
''Like ?''
''I still have to finish that book you borrowed me.''
''I didn't borrow you any books lately,'' Rory said, glad that she didn't have to concentrate on the party for a second.
''Damn mouth.''
Rory pleadingly looked at Jess, but he didn't make any attempt to go with her, he just smirked.
''Just go in. If you wanna leave just call me, I'll be sitting at Luke's all night, waiting by the phone.''
''Now that's a line I thought I would never hear come out of your mouth,'' Rory said, trying to relax.
''I would have never thought you would go to a party, so we're even.''
Rory nodded and looked at the house again. ''So.........what do I do now ?''
''Well, you've got three options. You can get back in the car with me, stay out here all night or.......and here comes the dangerous risk taking, you can actually go in there and have some fun, ''Jess playfully said.
''The first one sounds very tempting.''
''Rory, you wanted to help Tristan right ?''
Rory nodded.
''Now, I'm not a genius or anything. But in order to help him, you actually have to go in there and talk to him.''
''You're right,'' Rory said.
''How come it always takes us a meaningless argument before you realize that ?''
Rory gave Jess a look, trying to hide her nervousness as best as she could. Jess, however, saw through her facade and gave her a small but encouraging smile, before getting back in to his car.
Rory watched Jess get in his car an drive off, leaving her standing al alone in front of this majestic mansion. With its large and dark windows. Rory could hear the music from where she was standing and the carefree laughter of the people that were already inside. Rory carefully took one step on to the drive way that looked like a dirt road without the stars to light it. While she was heading for the door, she kept her gaze fixed on the door, afraid of what might be hiding behind one of those many trees, that were neatly placed in several rows. She lowered her eyes to her feet, as she walked up the few steps to the door. When she looked up, she saw another too familiar figure standing by the door.
''Paris ?''
The girl's head snapped to the left when she heard Rory's voice.
''Gilmore ? You were invited ?''
''The entire school was invited,'' Rory answered, as she joined Paris.
Paris didn't say anything, as she knocked on the door. Both secretly relieved that they weren't alone. Almost immediately the door opened and they were greeted by some fool that already had a little much to drink.
''Where's the pizza ?''
''Excuse me ?'' Rory asked.
''We ordered pizza about twenty minutes ago,'' the guy explained.
''Thanks for the information,'' Paris said, as she passed the guy.
''You two aren't trying to keep all the pizza for yourselves, are you ?''
Rory shook her head, as she headed over to Paris. They both looked at the crazy pizza guy as he kept asking everyone if they were hiding his pizza somewhere. Finally Paris broke the silence.
''So, punch bowl ?''
''Yep.''
*~*~*
After about twenty minutes, Rory and Paris still hadn't moved from their spot at the punch bowl. The only difference was that they weren't wearing their jackets anymore. Those were lying on one of the chairs behind them.
''You know, it's kinda rude to throw a party and then not show up yourself,'' Paris commented, at the fact that they had been here almost half an hour and they still hadn't seen Tristan.
Normally he was the center of the party. Especially at one he would throw himself. He and his friends would either be standing in a corner laughing or they would be going wild on the dance floor, grabbing every girl they could get their ring covered hands on.
Rory silently sighed. She was tired of scanning the crowds, looking for someone who was acting different than the others, because they had too much to drink or because they just liked to beat people up. Rory felt the heavy weight of the book, that she kept in her purse, and quickly finished her punch. She told Paris that she was going to find a bathroom and made her way through the sea of dancing people towards the stairs.
As she made her way up the stairs, unnoticed, she ran her fingers over the carvings in the banister. Once she reached the top of the stairs, she ended up at the beginning of a long hallway with marble tiles. She let go of the banister and started to walk, in search of a library of some kind. She passed a couple of unoccupied rooms, before she heard the faint sound. She couldn't quite make out what kind of sound it was, but she did know that it was coming from behind one of those closed doors. She took a couple of more steps in the direction of where the sound had come from, just out of curiosity, and immediately it became louder and more clear.
As soon as the moaning reached her ears, she regretted taking those last steps into the hallway. She silently cursed herself for being so curious and took a step back, making sure that her heels wouldn't make any tapping noise on the marble floor. As soon as the moaning started, it stopped, not leaving anything behind but a deafening silence. So deafening that it made Rory wish she never made her way up the stairs in the first place. She glanced at the door, which she suspected of holding the provocative cries prisoner. Apparently she took more time than she was aware of, because suddenly the door opened and she was looking straight in to a pair of eyes she had missed seeing this entire night.
For a second, that seemed to stretch itself into awkward minutes, she found herself speechless, incapable of moving her lips or averting her eyes. Tristan ran his tongue across his bottom lip, before filling the dead air that was swirling around them, grazing Rory's cheeks, causing them to turn a faint pink.
''Mary, didn't anyone every tell you that minding your own business is the safest way to live your life ?''
''Sorry,'' Rory stammered, finally regaining the use of her voice. ''I was just looking for a quiet place to...........''
But she couldn't finish her sentence. She was distracted by a girl, that came stumbling out of the same room as Tristan, buttoning her buttons in a delicate fashion as she did this. She gave Tristan a chaste kiss on the cheek, without even taking the time to glance at him.
''Thanks for the memorable ride,'' she said, as she walked past him and headed down the stairs.
Rory's blush unconsciously started to increase, which didn't go unnoticed by Tristan.
''So, you were looking for a quiet place to..............?'' he asked, as he suggestively raised one of his eyebrows.
''I was...........looking for a place to read,'' Rory said, as she lowered her gaze to Tristan's feet.
''So, you came up here.........to read ?'' Tristan asked, as he took a step towards her.
Rory brought her head up to look at him and nodded, a little embarrassed by what she had just heard and witnessed.
''I'm sorry, I shouldn't have been wandering around in your house. I didn't mean to........I just.........I better go.''
Rory quickly turned around and wanted to head for the stairs, but before she could even move one step, Tristan reached out and grabbed her by her arm. Rory turned around, thinking that he had some other remark to throw her way, but instead he roughly pulled her closer and pushed his lips on to hers.
She instinctively placed her free hand against his chest, letting herself fall in to the kiss for a reckless second. Tristan placed his free hand on her hand, making sure that it would safely remain there, as he started to pull her in the direction of the room he had just evacuated.
Before Rory could stop him, he had pulled her in to the room and closed the door with his foot. Her eyes flew open and she immediately noticed, that he somehow managed to skillfully switch their positions. She was the one facing the door now. And it only made the situation seem more surreal. Tristan was slowly forcing her in the direction of the bed, while Rory kept looking at the door, hopelessly holding on to the fact that she could still see it and dangerously aware of the fact that he was backing her up towards the bed.
''Tristan, what are you doing ?''
Tristan didn't answer immediately, as he captured her lips in another kiss, before making his way down her neck.
''Leading you to a place to sit,'' he answered breathlessly.
Rory gasped when she felt Tristan's tongue against her skin, while he let go of one of her hands, covering it beneath his other one, and lowering his free hand to her left knee.
''Or better yet, lie down,'' he whispered, as he pushed his fingers against the back of her knee, causing her to fall backwards on to the bed.
''Isn't this more comfortable ?'' he asked, pulling his tongue back and carefully scraping her skin with his teeth.
''Get off me !''
Tristan ignored her and placed her hands above her head, keeping them in place with one of his hands. The other, he placed on the thin material of her shirt.
''Don't !'' Rory said, the panic almost unbearable in her voice.
Tristan lowered his hand down to her hip and let it linger there, before slipping it underneath her shirt.
''Tristan, please !?''
At the sound of Rory's plead, his eyes shot up to meet hers. She could see the turmoil in them, as he loosened his grip on her hands.
''Rory ?'' he doubtfully asked.
Suddenly he became painfully aware of what he was doing and he regretfully let go of her and took a couple of steps away from the bed.
''I'm sorry,'' he mumbled, as he took another step back.
''What is wrong with you ?!'' Rory angrily asked, as he sat up straight, causing her top to fall back in to place.
Tristan shook his head. ''I'm sorry. I must have head too much to drink............again.''
It hurt even more now, cause he knew what had caused him to this.
''Why ?'' Rory asked.
''What ?'' Tristan asked, looking at her.
''Why are you drinking so much lately ?''
Tristan shook his head once more. ''You wouldn't understand.''
Rory took a couple of seconds before answering. ''I'm still here, aren't I ?''
Instantly Tristan's gaze softened and he forced himself to look at her again. There she was, subtly asking him to explain everything to her, when not a minute ago he had forced her down on the bed. And yet she was still here.
''I guess, I.......couldn't handle it anymore,'' he said, as he carefully sat down next to her, making sure that there was enough space between them to breath.
''Handle what ?'' Rory softly asked.
Tristan sighed and glanced at her out of the corner of his eye.
''You know my grandfather died........''
''Yes, but..........''
''I wasn't allowed to go to his burial,'' Tristan interrupted.
Rory didn't react immediately and he knew that she was erasing some of the lines in her head, making sure that every dot would be connected properly.
''But........why ?''
This time she had asked him a question, which he couldn't answer properly. Not when he didn't even know the exact reason himself, so he decided to give her the same reason his parents gave him.
''According to my parents, I would have caused a scene.''
''So, that's why you've been acting like this ?''
Tristan nodded. ''That's the cause of my reckless behavior lately, my bad grades, my drinking, my lack of patience.''
''I'm sorry,'' Rory said, not quite knowing what else to say in this kind of situation.
They sat there in each other's presence for a while, not saying anything. Finally Rory got up.
''Where are you going ?''
''I'm going to find a phone,'' Rory answered. ''I........I wanna go home.''
She avoided Tristan's eyes while she said this. Tristan nodded.
''There's one at the end of this hallway.''
Rory nodded and glanced at Tristan once more before leaving the room.
*R*E*V*I*E*W*! Please ? :-) So, what did you think ? Should I write longer chapters more often ? Cause I always think that the longer my chapters get the more horrible they get at the same time. Thanks again for reading! And for the reviews! :-) (And btw my Lit won't be updated this week.....or next week. Tests, sorry.)